I'm laying out 2 different workouts that I want to run out for the next couple months, with a goal of gaining 20 pounds. A novice, but ready to push my limits. Workout 1 is a 'Boring But Big' while Workout 2 is a 5's Progression + First Set Last.

20 lbs is a lot to gain if we’re talking quality size. Ideally you’ll go through many templates (going from volume to intensity, rinse & repeat as cycles progress) before this goal is achieved. That and lots of cleanish food, patience, & consistency.

Not what I’m saying. Yes, overalll intensity progresses over a long period of time, ie going from a 225 3 rep max bench to a 275 3 rep max bench over a year or two. What I’m saying is that you progress through templates, slowly decreasing the volume while increasing the relative intensity. An example would be doing boring but big at 50% for two cylces (50 reps of supplemental work), then doing 2 cycles with first set last (around 25 reps of supplemental work). Lots of benefits to this route.

Jim suggested 5’s PRO + FSL to me on his forum last weekend. Mapping it out over a 6-month span, I’m going to want to pair the main lift and assistance lift together (ex. 5’s PRO’s for Squats and FSL for Squats).

You’re right though, the 5’s PRO with FSL seems like a lot of work for a novice. I don’t know if I’ll be able to recover from that. I definitely feel the FSL is essential though as far as progression.

[quote]kingbrady wrote:
Jim suggested 5’s PRO + FSL to me on his forum last weekend. Mapping it out over a 6-month span, I’m going to want to pair the main lift and assistance lift together (ex. 5’s PRO’s for Squats and FSL for Squats).

You’re right though, the 5’s PRO with FSL seems like a lot of work for a novice. I don’t know if I’ll be able to recover from that. I definitely feel the FSL is essential though as far as progression.

Do you really think I should go 5/3/1 + FSL instead of 5’s PRO + FSL?[/quote]

5s pro + 5x5 fsl looks legit & a solid place to start, just saying that you’ll benefit varying templates throughout your journey to gain 20 lbs. Do a template for a couple cycles and move on.

Isn’t this the third thread on essentially the same subject you’ve started in about a fortnight?

Workout wanting to be a douche, perhaps you would be better served by just picking a program, eating more or less properly and sticking to that for a few months instead of asking what is much the same question multiple times.

Sorry man. Didn’t know there was unwritten rules. It’s funny that the cliche about all beginner lifters is they “can never stick to one program”, and when I’m simply asking questions so I can stay on ONE program for multiple months, you give me shit for it.

If I was in your position, I would be honored to have a newbie asking for your insight. You’re the one that influenced me to BBB, where I then took that to Jim where he made his suggestion.

Also, it’s a forum… I’m not blowing up your personal email. You could actually completely leave this topic alone if you had any control.

It’s a shame that a kid actually wants to train smart and do it right these days. I’ll digress, thanks for your input.

Absolutely. I can definitely see where switching from a 5’s PRO to a 5/3/1 would be needed as progress stalled and overall load was higher. I personally really like his “Breaking Bad” template, that is very similar to the one I’m going to do.

[quote]kingbrady wrote:
Sorry man. Didn’t know there was unwritten rules. It’s funny that the cliche about all beginner lifters is they “can never stick to one program”, and when I’m simply asking questions so I can stay on ONE program for multiple months, you give me shit for it.

If I was in your position, I would be honored to have a newbie asking for your insight. You’re the one that influenced me to BBB, where I then took that to Jim where he made his suggestion.

Also, it’s a forum… I’m not blowing up your personal email. You could actually completely leave this topic alone if you had any control.

It’s a shame that a kid actually wants to train smart and do it right these days. I’ll digress, thanks for your input.

[/quote]

It isn’t about unwritten rules or anything, I was more trying to make the point that you’ve picked yourself a pair of good options. What you need the most now is just to do the work. Either one will, followed consistently, bring you the results you want.

If you’re worried that one is going to be marginally better for you and that picking the one that isn’t absolutely perfect for you will torpedo your results: don’t worry. They’re both good, and the overwhelming odds are that you’re not so unique that it is going to matter too much right now.

So, not trying to damp your enthusiasm and if I can help you, I’ll be glad. Just remember that sometimes that might mean saying something a little less than gentle.

[quote]kingbrady wrote:
Jim suggested 5’s PRO + FSL to me on his forum last weekend. Mapping it out over a 6-month span, I’m going to want to pair the main lift and assistance lift together (ex. 5’s PRO’s for Squats and FSL for Squats).

You’re right though, the 5’s PRO with FSL seems like a lot of work for a novice. I don’t know if I’ll be able to recover from that. I definitely feel the FSL is essential though as far as progression.

Do you really think I should go 5/3/1 + FSL instead of 5’s PRO + FSL?[/quote]

He did not recommend anything. You asked a question on 5 Pro’s and he answered. It is not a lot of work for a novice.

And no, I don’t think think you should do one over the other. I gave you an option to do both templates above, but I prefer straight FSL as oppose to 5 Pro’s and FSL IN THE CONTEXT THAT YOU ASKED.

5 Pro’s and FSL by itself is amazing for novices and people returning from a long layoff or injury.